"WHAT DO YOU MEAN us ALL DIE?!" Ryoko roared, now standing up.

"It means what it means, idiot…" Ben spoke quietly.

"If I do not see a dead body anywhere in this Olympic Park then you all will become a dead body, PUHUHUHU." Monokuma giggled. " This part of the Olympic Park is sealed and airtight with a few ventilator units placed here in there which I can close off. At 5:15 pm tomorrow if everyone is still alive, I will release a deadly poisonous gas that will fill the whole dome!"

"Why I never!" said Matilda with a pout as she adjusted her glasses. She tapped some ash from her long cigarette holder and said: "I should launch you to the stars above just for proposing such a vile rule."

"You can not be serious!" Aleksandr exclaimed.

"I'm deadly serious! Commit a murder or you die! Make your choice!" Monokuma laughed. "This is also a motive to do well at the competitive event tomorrow to get those sweet weapons."

"This just got interesting…" Bashira spoke softly.

"You are buffing!" Brooklyn called out. "My father is a very successful businessman and he taught me all the tricks in the book! I know when someone is buffing."

"I never tell lies and when I do they are friendly ones!" Monokuma responded. "But if you want a demonstration...I sure as hell can give you one!"

"Yeah, you are lying! I think?" Savanna added.

"Fine, it looks like a demonstration is needed." Abruptly Monokuma took a spray from behind his back and sprayed Savanna and Brooklyn directly in their faces, resulting in them having a huge coughing fit. I inhaled some of the poison, which I figured from the disgusting odour I smelt.

"Damn...you…" Brooklyn coughed before she and Savanna both collapsed on the floor.

"SAVANNA!" "Brooklyn!" Both names were called out in unison as people huddled around them.

"What did you do?!" Ryoko roared now furious.

"I poisoned with a diluted version of the poison. They will recover do not worry, they just need to sleep it off…but if you don't want to make it permanent I suggest you kill someone." Monokuma remarked.

"WHY YOU…" Ryoko was advancing towards Monokuma but I quickly grabbed her hand.

"Ryoko, please… hurting the game master is against the school rules." I reminded her. "Please calm down." She was still visibly shaking with anger but after a deep sigh she eased up a bit.

"You're right…" Ryoko sighed.

"She is alive, simply unconscious…" Aleksandr spoke after analysing Brooklyn's unconscious body.

"Same here!" Chase confirmed.

"Well in the meantime, you guys better start planning a murder...Puhuhu…" Monokuma giggled before he disappeared

"I suggest we take them to their rooms," Diane spoke up.

"Only one person per team may go!" Monoorenji quickly interjected.

"We need still need you guys for a team meeting bubs," Monoburu continued from the orange bear.

"I will take Savanna," Ryoko replied as she picked up the small frame of the Korean and rested her shoulders.

"I will come with you." I offered.

"No it's fine, I can do it this myself," Ryoko replied. " I need you here, vice-captain."

"Alright!" After some thought, I agreed while Toby agreed to carry Savanna. The two teams departed for their respective sides of the room before we huddled in a circle.

"I hope Savanna recovers…"

"Why do you care?!" Ben sharply interrupted Monoorenji.

"Because I care about every member of team…" The bear replied, suddenly I stumbled back a bit.

"Rina? You alright?" Uni looked at me with concern. I held my head in discomfort.

" Yeah...I just feel a bit hazy…" My vision went foggy as I coughed before I collapsed onto the floor.

My eyes slid open as I saw the familiar sites of my bedroom. "Ah, you are finally awake!" I turned my head to see Chase grinning at the seat with Ben standing beside him. "You had quite a nap!" I looked at the alarm clock and it read 9:53 pm. I was out for 4 hours…

"Uggh...what happened?" I rubbed my eyes as I spat up.

"You collapsed! Probably from the poison." The snowboarder replied.

"I had to carry you back to your room, you are a lot heavier than you look skyscraper!" Ben added.

"Thanks…" I said sarcastically. "How did I…"

"Most likely residual spray from when Monokuma poisoned Savanna," Ben said which reminded me of the events that occurred. "After all you were sat next to her."

"Savanna! Is she okay?" I asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, she is still unconscious but she is fine…" The billiard player replied as he walked in with Aleksandr. "Ryoko is looking after her."

"Rina, how are you feeling? Can you walk?" Aleksandr asked looking at me sternly.

"Woah! What's the rush?" Chase questioned.

"Our lives!" Aleksandr replied sharply resulting in a silence to occur.

"Aleksandr has a proposition for us." Ayden filled the silence.

"Monokuma said that poison will fill the entire dome, right?" Aleksandr continued from the Filipino.

"Yeah! So?" Chase snapped back.

"If he plans to fill the dome with poison then he is going to need to either a lot of it stored or at least have a manufacturing process somewhere," Aleksandr concluded.

"Oh yeah! That makes sense!" I responded.

"We are going to see if we can find anything! If you guys want to come." Ayden continued.

"Sure thing, anything to help!" I replied.

"Rina are you sure, you shouldn't move so soon," Chase questioned.

"I feel better Chase, thanks for your concern." I smiled as I slowly stood up.

"Alright, I will come too!" Chase joined in.

"It beats just waiting to die!" Ben quietly as we all left my room and departed to the blue reception of the dormitories where Diane, Katsumi, Uni and Akio were waiting in the lobby.

"Rina! How are you feeling?" Akio asked.

"I'm good thanks… how's Brooklyn doing?"

"She's still out cold!" Diane replied. " But Bashira and Matilda are looking out for her."

"Hmm, I am gonna go recruit more people, you guys go ahead," Aleksandr spoke before heading to the elevator.

"Right so does anyone have any ideas where to look?" Diane asked.

"Hmmm…" People started to ponder. "It needs to be a place large enough while also discrete," I spoke up.

"The leisure centre!" Akio grinned. "There is a swimming pool!"

"So what? You are just using it as an excuse to go to the pool." Ben said harshly.

"No...I agree with him." Katsumi spoke up.

"Swimming pools are sterilized with chemicals right?" Akio continued. "And swimming pools have to continuously sterilize it."

"Is there an end to this? We do have a time limit you know!" Uni yawned out of boredom.

"Long story short, swimming pools have must storage for these chemicals right?!" Akio concluded.

"That does make sense…" Chase replied. "That is a great place to start!"

*BUM* *BUM* BUM* This is an announcement from the Game Master! It is now 10 pm and so it is officially nighttime! As a result, some facilities will be closed! Goodnight, sleep tight, don't let the bed drugs bite!" The PA system blared out.

"Right well we best get moving! Before we are swimming with the fishes." Diane giggled at her own joke.

"Well then… let's just go already." Uni sighed before we departed. After a few minutes, we arrived at the entrance to the leisure centre. Diane stretched her hands towards the handle but out of the blue Monokuma jumped out of nowhere and slapped her hand away.

"Ow! What the heck?!" Diane moaned.

"Didn't you hear the announcements!" Monokuma shouted.

"What about it?" Ben asked sternly.

"Some facilities are closed! Like this one!" The robotic bear roared.

"But yesterday, we trained in here at night time." I rebutted.

"Monoorenji asked me for permission to train you guys in there so I relaxed the rules. But no one is allowed into the leisure centre without a coach!" Monokuma justified. "The same goes for the arena!"

"That's not fair!" I yelled.

"Yeah, that's bullshit!" Chase snapped.

"I was hoping to go for a swim too…" Akio added

"Chill guys, no point fretting over such a thing." Ayden placed his hand on my shoulder. "Well, we can check the hotel though."

"No hotel either! I want you guys in tip-top condition for the games tomorrow! In fact, I am going to add a rule." Monokuma exclaimed before a chorus of buzzing came from our e-Handbooks. I reached into my pocket and opened the rulebook section. NEW RULE INTRODUCED!

#19: All facilities are closed to students the night before a competitive event. Also, all students must be in the dormitories by no later than 10:15 pm.

"This is such a cheap thing to do." Uni snarled.

"Well, the time now is 10:04 so that leaves you guys 11 minutes to head back to the dorms or face the punishment! The event starts at 10 am at the arena, I do not want to see sleepy heads!" Monokuma grinned before vanishing.

"Gosh, I can bearly stand that guy." Diane once again giggled as we started walking back to the dormitories

"Well, this was a waste of time!" Ben spoke.

"And time isn't something we have much of," I remembered.

"Well, we can always investigate tomorrow after the event?" Akio suggested.

"But how long will the competitive event be for? It could even be just to run down the clock?" Ayden wondered.

"I do not think so, Monokuma wants us to murder someone, he would rather we killed someone than for him to kill everyone," Katsumi spoke up.

"Make sense. Otherwise, we would all be dead then." The hockey player agreed.

"So is the only way to save us..is to kill someo.."

"No! There must be another way!" Diane interrupted my hesitation.

"Well, whatever that way is we are running out of time," Ben noted.

"You don't say…" Uni replied. An awkward silence descended for the remainder of the journey before we all went to our respected rooms. I stood outside my door for a while, contemplating.

I should probably check on Savanna after all received a higher dosage of that stuff than me. I approached the lift and press the up button. The doors did open revealing Aleksandr standing in the middle elevator.

"Oh Rina, how was the investigation?" Aleksandr inquired.

"Monokuma pretty much prohibited us from looking around…" I answered. "He even added a new rule just to stop us."

"Hmm, figures…where are you heading now?"

"To check on Savanna...that reminds me, do you know how Brooklyn is?" I asked.

"Last time I saw she was still unconscious." He reported. "But she should be fine."

"That's good, you going up?

"Sorry, going down." Aleksandr grinned.

"No worries, I will wait. See ya around." I smiled before the elevator doors slid shut. After a few minutes, the lift returned and it escorted me to the floor above. Ayden was departing from Ben's room and heading in my direction.

"Ah, Rina, what brings you here?" Ayden spoke in a slightly anxious mood.

"I was just gonna check on Savanna," I replied.

"Ah, I see, well I am tired I best get to bed." Ayden rushed into the elevator. He was acting weird. I shrugged it off and I approached and knocked on Savanna's door. After a few moments, the door ebbed opened revealing Ryoko peaking through the side of the day.

"Oh hey Rina, how are you feeling? " Ryoko asked as she fully opened the door allowing me to enter the room.

"I'm feeling better, thank you! How's Savanna?" I entered further into the room and saw Savanna sleeping on her bed. She was snoring loudly as she laid on her back, body and limbs were spread across the bed sporadically.

"She had a high temperature, but she seems to be getting better," Ryoko replied.

"You okay Ryoko? You seem a bit off." My voice was filled with concern.

"I'm fine!" The track/field star replied.

"You sure? You don't have to keep it to your-"

"I'm fine!" Ryoko snapped back, resulting in an awkward silence descending upon the room. "I'm sorry Rina for that! This whole situation just pisses me off! The worst part is I cannot do anything about it!" Her fist clenched in anger.

"I understand your frustration Ryoko...but we gotta be positive, it's the only way we are going to get out of this," I replied.

"I admire your optimism Rina but…" She hesitated. "If someone isn't dead by 5:15 pm tomorrow, we all die..we need something more than positivity. Don't you agree?"

"Well, um…" I was speechless, I had no reply. She was right though. Suddenly she placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry Rina! I'm sure it will be alright!" Rina's mood had changed, she was calmer than her normal self. " You should go get some rest, I can look after Savanna. And don't forget the team breakfast at 8:30."

"Ah right...thank you…" Something is off with Ryoko, and Ayden as well but then again in such weird times, I can't really blame them. I returned to my room and sat on my bed. I could be dead in less than a day, that poison is something else… I laid on my bed trying to fall asleep but I couldn't however after what felt like an eternity I finally closed my eyes.

*BUM* *BUM* *BUM* Good morning everyone! This is an announcement from the Game Master! It is now 8 am and Daytime has officially begun! Remember today is Competitive Event Day! The event starts at 10 so be at the arena at 9:15 pm. Everyone have a great day! And push past your limits! The PA announcement blared waking me up. I underwent my normal morning routine including showering and training before I headed to the cafeteria which was back to having the glass divider between the two rooms, everyone was there in orange section except Savanna, Rutendo and Ryoko. Anxiety was swirling in the room along with other emotions. On the table, bowls were set with sugar, honey jam and lemons.

"Rina! You're here! How are you feeling?" Chase called out.

"I am feeling better, thanks!" I replied.

"Good! We need everyone in tip-top condition for the event TODAY!" Jack roared, his enthusiasm being an outlier.

"How can you be happy at a time like this?" Uni spoke to herself as I sat down.

"Where is everyone else?"

"Rutendo is cooking up our loving team breakfast!" Monorenji appeared in her usual fashion. "I am glad to see you are okay Rina!"

"I'M ALIVE!" Savanna grinned as she entered the room with Ryoko, lightening the mood.

"Savanna, thank goodness you are okay," I replied as she sat down at the table.

"Good to have you back champ!" Jack added in a bellowing voice.

"I did miss your annoying antics." Uni snarked.

"Always good to see somebody make a recovery, dear," said Matilda, who even during breakfast still kept her usual cigarette holder in her mouth, though this time the cigarette was unlit.

"How are you feeling after your ordeal?" Ayden spoke calmly.

"I feel a bit stuffy but refreshed! Like that time I slept for 24 hours but that was after I had streamed for 96 hours straight! Well, you gotta keep your subscribers happy you know.." Savanna went on another one of her trademark rambles but I kind of missed

"I meant having a talentless loud mouth be your carer, feel sorry for your ears…" Ayden snarled.

"Wanna say that to my face!" The track/field star responded.

"Ayden! Ryoko! No fighting! We need good chemistry for our team event!" Monorenji exclaimed, nipping the dispute in the bud. " I am glad that you are okay Savanna, you are a valued member of this team!"

"Is she, though?" Ben questioned.

"Hey! As an investigator, I play a crucial role in this team! Such as investigating and...other stuff!" Savanna rebutted.

"Breakfast is ready!" Rutendo entered the room with a huge pot with a label in it.

"Can't wait to see what masterpiece the great Rutendo cooked up for us." The gymnast commented as Ru picked up the labelled and poured a viscous white pudding-like substance into each of our bowls.

"Hey, Thunder thighs! What the fuck is this?!" Ben said bluntly.

"It's sadza porridge, traditional southern African breakfast," Ru replied.

"Looks like bird shit," Ben replied.

"It doesn't taste of anything," Uni added.

"You add jam or honey to it to sweeten it," Ru instructed. After adding the sweeteners, everyone seemed to enjoy it.

"This is actually nice, not just full of shit," Uni remarked.

"I have my moments." Ru smiled genuinely.

"I am glad we are all coming together to enjoy such a lovely meal! Now let's go kick some blue team butt!" Monorenji shouted.

"Hell yeah!" The Blitzball player shared the bear's excitement.

We all departed at the same time to the arena which looked to have a capacity of around 25'000, we entered a tunnel where two signs were at the wall; one pointed left reading 'Blue Team' and the other 'Orange Team' pointing to the right. We followed the sign which leads to two separated changing rooms, one for boys and the other for girls. Like last time there was a box with clothes but instead of training clothes, it was more specific to our talent ware but still in orange. After we changed we rendezvoused in the tunnel that would lead to the field. Both teams were there along with Monokuma, Monoorenji and Monoburu. We lined up with both teams captains at the front with the vice-captain behind. The blue team were wearing similar clothes but in blue clothing

"Good morning athletes! I see everyone is still alive...disappointing, the deadline is looming y'know. Though I'm certain that will all change!" Monokuma giggled. What did he mean by that? "Anyway, Today is the first competitive event! Are you all excited!"

"Hell yeah!" Jack shouted, breaking the silence.

"How do you expect me to be excited when you poisoned me! I was unconscious for hours!" Brooklyn snapped back.

"Just be grateful it was a non-lethal dose!" Monokuma replied.

"If that is supposed to make me feel better it does not! You should be grateful to be in the presence of a …"

"-heir to the Montresor Family, etcetera etcetera…can you say something more original!" Monokuma completed her sentence.

"Hahaha! He got you good!" Diane giggled leaving the equestrian embarrassed.

"Anyway, today's event is a classic event, combining accuracy with speed and stamina! It is a biathlon!" The room was still silent.

"As in a winter biathlon?" Aleksandr asked.

"Yeah and no! I didn't want to fill the arena with snow so you will be running instead. But there will be guns and it will be below -20°C! This version I am calling it Summer Winter Biathlon Rally. Only 6 teammates need to compete in this event…"

"Well, that means I can sit this one out." Matilda was quick to point out interrupting Monokuma. She pouted, her cigarette holder dangling from her mouth as always. It rarely seemed to not be in its usual spot between her plump lips, and was currently filling the air with rosy smoke.

"Matilda! Are you really that idle?" Brooklyn interjected.

"Dear, I am a croquet player, snow is not my forte." Matilda justified, placing a hand on her thick stomach. She exhaled rose-coloured smoke from her nostrils and added: "And I highly doubt my cigarette would be enough to keep me warm." She then twirled her massive croquet mallet in thought as she added "Perhaps if I had a sizable cigar, as well as some fireworks, maybe some candles..." she trailed off as she continued to mutter to herself.

"Well count me out as well…" Ru added.

"STOP INTERRUPTING ME!" Monokuma yelled. "You can decide who competes later in the preparation phase. In this event…." From behind him he takes a diagram to show the event. "You will transverse a distance of 2.5km in pairs where one of you will have the role of the shooter and the other as a carrier. Once the carrier has done the stretch, the shooter must hit all five of the targets before the sprinter will do the final stretch. How quickly the sprinter leaves is dependent on the speed of the carrier and the accuracy of the shooter."

"What do you mean by carry?" Bashiran enquired

"As in you carry the shooter to the shooting range!" Monokuma added.

"Damn! That's hardcore!" Jack grinned. "So the shooter better be light!"

"Or the carrier needs to be strong," Katsumi noted quietly.

"Exactly! Who does what is up to you! But I want two teams of 3 in 5 minutes! Now go to the tactics room and decide!" Monokuma exclaimed. "The winning team gets access to some sweet weapons." Monokuma's words did not provide the response we wanted. "It's you need some motivation...well the person who contributes the most to the event (The Most Valuable Player) will receive immunity! They will not be executed at 5:15 pm and no one is allowed to kill the MVP!" Everyone's mood went from one of apathy and hopelessness to a slither of hope resulting in Monokuma grinning.

Guys, I am sorry for how long this took! Can you forgive me? I felt like I rushed this chapter as well but I will try and improve release rate and quality.